Mar 3, 2015

Depression is a very real mental illness that can trap people in a morass of despair. In an attempt to escape this morass, one guy – photographer Michael Loffler – spent three years traveling around the world. This, in addition to his normal medicine (which those suffering from depression take a lot of), helps him feel less glum.

What‘s his secret? Thriftiness. As he explains in his reddit post, the most expensive thing about traveling is plane tickets. That‘s why tries to do it mostly by land, and in inexpensive countries in South Asia or South America. Then it‘s down to couchsurfing, staying at friends’ places, spending as little as possible (his target is no more than $30 a day), and avoiding souvenirs and clubs.

Another thing working in his favor is that millions of people around the world are yearning for native speakers to teach them English. They are ready to offer compensation, which can always be transformed into a few more miles.

Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia.

Ta Prohm, Cambodia

Yuanyang, China

Lijiang, China

Machu Picchu, Peru

Zhangjiajie, China

Colca Canyon, Peru

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Sapa, Vietnam | Cocora Valley, Colombia

Yangshuo, China

Maya Bay, Thailand

Annapurna circuit, Nepal | Banos, Ecuador

An ancient small town where they filmed part of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Hongcun, China.